I love the effect that you get when you marble eggs with nail varnish. It is something I first did with Maxi over a year ago and we were delighted with how it turned out. It is such a fun process art activity and I am warning you have lots of eggs to hand as it is addictive!
You can marble blown, hardboiled, ceramic or even plastic eggs with nail varnish with no issues at all, just make sure you have lots and that you do this in a well-ventilated space.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make any purchases after clicking one of these links, I will make a small commission (hopefully enough to keep me in tea all year) – at no extra cost to you! This allows me to keep creating and sharing free tutorials and content for you. Thank you!
How to marble eggs with nail varnish
When I made these with maxi he used patex gloves and handled the eggs to dip them in as he found it much easier. When I did them I stick a skewer in to the hole which we blew out the eggs.
Firstly you need to get your water and bowl sorted. Ideally, you want to use a container at least 3 times as wide as your egg so you can roll the egg and coat it all at once. If you don’t have a disposable bowl then pop a plastic bag into one. Your water needs to be tepid to increase it surface tension and make sure the nail varnish floats. I have a great explanation of surface tension on our floating chalk prints.
Add your varnish to the water, use at least two colours. Add a metallic to make the eggs really shine. Swirl around with a cocktail stick to combine the colours a little.
Tip – the first colour you use will spread out the furthest and be the dominant colour.
Quickly dip the egg in and watch the nail polish adhere to the egg. If you have a larger bowl you can roll your egg so all parts get marbled. Maxi loved this part! It’s quite amazing to watch the nail polish cling to the egg and completely separately from the water.
Remove your egg from the water and set aside to dry. If you have used a skewer then you can pop it into a pot, alternately gently place on a paper towel.
How to marble eggs with nail varnish
Posted by The Mad House on Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Oh these look fabulous vague memories of doing as a kid willhave to do with F and A!
Ooh those look stunning!!! Really want to have a go now!
wow these look fab! we are decorating eggs at the mo so will have a go at these. x
wow these look fab! we are decorating eggs at the mo so will have a go at these. x
The eggs are very beautiful! And you make this with nail polish? Great!
Yours turned out beautifully! I tried last year and mine were awful and I got in a horrible mess, not sure what I did wrong!
Wow – these are masterpieces! When I heard ‘nail varnish’ and ‘eggs’ I thought about what I’d end up creating and in my head it looked nothing like yours! Yours are like Faberge’ !! LOL
This is such a pretty effect and something I’d never have thought of trying. I have loads of nail varnishes, my son will love this!
I know someone who would love to try this, thanks for the reminder!
I love the idea of craft ideas like this, but I think I’m going to stick to shope bought decorations this year, this stuff looks awesome: http://www.partypacks.co.uk/easter-march-27th-cid12514.html And on the plus side we will have more time to bake Easter goodies to pig out on over the weekend!
I love the idea of craft ideas like this, but I think I’m going to stick to shop bought decorations this year, this stuff looks awesome: http://www.partypacks.co.uk/easter-march-27th-cid12514.html And on the plus side we will have more time to bake Easter goodies to pig out on over the weekend!
We had a pack once that had the ingredients for marbling eggs – I didn’t know you could use nail varnish! The children really enjoyed it back then, so we’ll give it another go this year.
I have a question. These eggs are amazing but are they okay for eating?
No, I wouldn’t eat them. I used blown eggs rather than hard boiled!
Your eggs are cute. I can use your trick 😉
I saw you have put a skewer in the egg was the egg hard boiled or did you make a hole and empty the shell???
These look fab, I love marble effects. I would have never have thought to use nail varnish, what a great idea
I love these, so simple but effective (unlike some of the art work I have to display at home!). We may well give them a go over the hols. I’m thinking that technique could be used for some kind of Christmas decoration too. Xx
I haven’t marbles eggs for years. Great rainy day activity to do with the kids
Oh these are just fabulous Jen, what a brilliant idea. Love the mottled effect, they’ve come out beautifully. I hope you’re having a wonderful Easter 🙂
These look beautiful, Jen, such a great idea!xx